Improvement in lap-boards



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SARA MAHAN.

Lap-Boards.

Nd. 135,040. Patented-Jan. 21,1873.

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PATENT OEEIcE.

SARA MAHAN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN LAP-BOARDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 135,040, dated January 21, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SARA MAHAN, of Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and Improved Lap-Board; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and complete description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing making part of the same.

Figure l is a front view of the board. Fig. 2 is an end view. Fig. 3 is a view of the under side. Fig. 4 is a detached view of a'brace or hook.

.Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several views.

The nature of this invention relates to a lapboard; and the object thereof is to provide saidboard with legs, so that the weight of the board shall not rest entirely upon the lap,

' but in part be supported by the legs, and also by which legs the board is held in a horizontal or level position, and therebyprevented from slippingfroni the lap, or the work and articles on the board from slipping off.

The following is a more full and complete description of the construction of the board:

In the drawing, A represents the board, which is or may be of the ordinary size and shape of those in common use. To each end of the board and near the front edge is hinged a leg, B, Fig. 1, and which are connected to each other by a rail, 0, so that both legs can be raised or lowered together. The legs when extended, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, are continued in such position by means of hookbraces 1). One end of each brace is pivoted to a cleat, E, whereas the free end is formed into a hook, a, of the shape shown. Said hook is caught in a staple, F, thereby holding the legs in a firm and substantial manner. A detached view of said brace is shown in Fig. 4. In order to cause the hook to readily engage the staple, and render it not liable to become detached therefrom while in ordinary use, the end attached to the cleat is bent at an angle, as shown at c, Fig. 4, the result of which will be that on turning down the legs the angle or turn in the brace will strike upon the cleat about the time that the staple reaches the opening of the hook, but not far enough to slip into it; hence a slight pressure outward upon the leg forces the leg back, which causes a strain upon the brace, thereby forcing the hook into engagement with the staple. In this way the angle of the brace acts as a spring, the tension of which holds the legs in a very firm and steady manner, and which is also selt fastening. The brace cannot become unhooked until it is pushed back, as indicated by the dotted lines 1), thereby allowing the brace to slide through the staple on turning up the legs. G is a third leg, which in like manner as the legs above described is hinged to the board, and supported when in use by a self-fastening hook-brace, as shown in Fig. 2.

The purpose of this third leg is for the convenience of the operator when wishing to leave the board without removing the work thereon. This, however, should never be down when the board is in use. At such times the inner edge of the board should always rest on the lap.

I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The legs B and G and spring-hook brace D, in combination with the board A, in the manner as and for the purpose set forth.

Witnesses: SARA MAHAN.

J. H. BURRIDGE, A. F. CORNELL. 

